Diaphragm forming of continuous-fiber reinforced thermoplastics suitable for medium-scale production

Conference · Fri Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:143635

Michaeli, W; Jehrke, M ^[1]

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1. Institute of Plastics Processing, Aachen (Germany)

Sheet-form continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics can be processed with the diaphragm forming technology. Using a high-temperature resistant rubber diaphragm the cycle-time is reduced to less than two minutes. The consolidated laminate which consists of several thermoplastic prepregs is positioned between two diaphragms. These diaphragms are made out of silicone or fluorine rubber and can be used up to temperatures of 290 C for a long-term. They are clamped in two separate frames which can be closed airtight against each other. After closing the two frames the laminate is evacuated. The prepregs are heated up above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix using a contact heating device. The heated laminate is transferred to the forming unit where air pressure is applied to one side of the diaphragms and the prepregs are formed into the cavity. Complex shaped geometries can be formed because of a homogeneous pressure distribution during processing and the relative thick diaphragms (1 mm) prevent the laminate from wrinkling during forming. After cooling in the cavity the formed part can be demoulded. During the whole process the thermoplastic prepregs stay between the diaphragms.

• OSTI ID: 143635
• Report Number(s): CONF-930246--; ISBN 0-87339-251-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
FABRICATION
REINFORCED MATERIALS
RUBBERS
THERMOPLASTICS